How did Oliver Twist get his name?

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Quick Answer

Oliver Twist, the main character from the Charles Dickens' book of the same name, was given his name from an alphabetic list of names. The child before Oliver was given the last name "Swubble," while the one after him was called "Unwin."

"Oliver Twist" was published in 1838 and was subtitled "The Parish Boy's Progress." It was Dickens' second novel, although it was initially published as a serial that ran from February 1837 to April of 1839. It is thought that the novel was inspired by the orphan Robert Blincoe, but Dickens' own childhood is also thought to have contributed to the novel too. A film based on the novel won several Academy Awards in 1968.